first accident

LOL. That's what comes from sloppy terminology. There's no funny rule here that I can see. All you have to remember is that it's really only 5 mini-roundabouts, and is signed as such. The apparent inner and outer roundabouts are really just short connecting roads between each mini-roundabout. So you just have to give way to the right every time you get to a mini-roundabout, whichever direction you approached it from.

But yes, if you started thinking of it as a single big roundabout, you'd get rather confused.

Mind you, I've not been round it myself, and I confess I'd be a bit nervous as I approached. ukeright:

I've discovered it's not unique - there are about half a dozen similar junctions in the country, apparently.

 

Roundabouts are extremly eficient and much faster at moving traffic than stop signs and for small to medium roads, even better than traffic lights, IF people know how to use them. Here in San Francisco, we have one around the corner from our home( a small one) but most people don't konow the rule-give way to the traffic already in the roundabout- and assume it is either a 4 way stop sign ot that they have the right of way if going straight or that thet can turn in any direction without going around it properly. :roll:

 

That's just asking for trouble, unfair, and obviously dangerous! Only someone familiar with the area would know to treat that intersection as a 4 way stop.
If I was charged for an accident at such an accident, I would sue the government responsible for that intersection, whether that would be local, state, or possibly federal.

After all, a reasonable person would assume he has the right-of-way if nothing told him otherwise. I understand we must be completely aware of our surroundings, but I shouldn't be responsible for checking for controls on everyone else's entrance to an intersection. And if they put a sign stating 'uncontrolled intersection', I'd advise using a yield or stop sign instead.
The only exception I was ever taught was a T corner. In such a case, the person who can't continue straight must stop, sign or no sign.

As for roundabouts, I never liked them. If there is too much traffic, you could get stuck forever waiting to get into a roundabout. I also have trouble when to get out, as there is liitle landmark to tell you when the next 'exit' is. You don't have time to read each street name sign.

I had to get the spoiler replaced due to my stupidity of backing out of the garage with the hatch up. Fortunately, that was all that was damaged, other than the mount points being bent out of shape a bit. Took a week to get the spoiler, another day to get it painted, and an hour to get it installed since the mount points had to be adjusted back into place.

 

I'd agree with your first point, Dan. The whole thing sounds like an accident waiting to happen. Every single junction in this country is clearly priority marked with white lines, except for really minor roads out in the wilderness. And even then it's always obvious which is the "main" road that has right-of-way. I don't recall ever seeing single example of an "uncontrolled junction" as Bob described, where there could be that confusion. You'd never be expected to "know" the other directions' signage.

As to roundabouts, "too much traffic" is, IME, what roundabouts excel at. It's unlikely that there's going to be a continual flow of traffic stopping you entering a full-size roundabout, as some cars are bound to be coming off at your exit. You can just slide onto the roundabout as they come off. The whole thing usually runs very smoothly. At some times of day though, certain major roundabouts become traffic-light controlled. I suppose it's a good idea if a traffic jam might otherwise clog the roundabout itself.

Over here, mini-roundabouts are quite frequently installed in T-junctions where a continual flow of traffic on the main road prevented people joining from the side road. Once it's a mini-roundabout, the side-road joiner can pull out as soon as there's a gap on their right, rather than having to wait for a gap in both directions simultaneously.

BTW, I was struck by the title of this thread - "first accident". How many accidents is Bob intending to have? :lol:

 

[font=Comic Sans MS:40673cdf16] Well, I just had my first (and I hope only) accident.
Other than that, no problem. :cussing:

 

I'm sorry to hear about your accident, fortunately no one was hurt.

I'm really interested to hear how much a new rear bumper costs. Mine is a mess, all scratched up, etc. I've never had a car with a bumper as delicate and tender as this one. It is really the only disappointing thing about this car. I've been referring to it as my "eggshell skull bumper". At home I have to parallel park on a steep street and not everyone is very masterful at it and I have to admit, I'm having a hard time getting used to parallel parking this car, I can't figure out where the back end is. I'm usually a very skilled parallel parker - I could parallel park in a tiny tiny space in my old Explorer, but not this one.

Anyway, pardon long winded whine. I'd just like to know how much the bumper costs when all is said and done.

Thanks!

 

rear bumper cover cost is $183.34 UDS in the price list that I have but it's getting old so there might be a change. It needs to be painted to match the car. Hope this helps.